Comparative study of the oxidative stress markers and antioxidant profile in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma and healthy subjects

Background: Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) is the leading cause of irreversible blindness. The serum oxidant/antioxidant profile alteration has been reported in ocular pathologies. The aim of this study was to compare the oxidative stress markers and antioxidant profile in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma and healthy subjects.

Methods: This study was conducted on 84 POAG patients (40 women and 44 men) and 80 healthy subjects (43 women and 37 men) referring to department of ophthalmology at Hazrat Rasol hospital. In this study, the total plasma antioxidant capacity (TAC), malonyldialdehyde (MDA) concentration, erythrocyte glutathione (GLT) and advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP) were measured and compared.

Results: The serum levels of TAC in patients with POAG significantly decreased than those of the healthy subjects (p<0.001), while the MDA levels in these patients increased significantly (p<0.025). Also, the red blood cell glutathione  level in patients with POAG was significantly increased compared with healthy subjects (p<0.016).

Conclusion: Significant enhancement of lipid and protein oxidation and an remarkable reduction   of total antioxidant capacity in POAG patients  compared to healthy subjects may indicate the pathological role of rising oxidative damage in primary open-angle glaucoma.